Saturday, June 16, 2007

Valedictory

Yesterday was my last day at the old job. Monday is my first day at the new.

The old job was an adventure, to be sure. On the one hand, they usually sent me to Europe for two weeks every year, gratis.

On the other hand, the other fifty weeks of the year were an endless cavalcade of annoyance, humiliation and overwork.

Example:

We once benchmarked our Web programs against those at peer institutions, and found that in all cases, even those at which there was less to do, my job was performed by a minimum of six full-time employees. I asked whether I might be allowed to have a student aide, at a rate of $7.50 an hour, for five hours a week. They said no.

I should have seen it coming. My second round of interviews took place on September 12, 2001. I called the office on September 11, just after the World Trade Center collapsed, and asked what I should do. "Oh," the HR rep chirped, "It's business as usual around here. We aren't even letting people go home unless they take vacation. Chicago didn't get hit."

But I needed a steady income to escape from Mr. Ex, so I grit my teeth and signed on.

The new job is at the same university, but in a different division. To my unbridled joy, it isn't a Web design position. I'll be writing, I'll be editing, I'll be art directing and playing with photographs. In the university hierarchy, it's a lateral move, not a promotion. I don't care. It's exactly what I wanted: a step towards my ultimate goal of being a person to whom the sentence, "The database is down" means nothing.

And you helped. When they asked about my writing abilities, I pointed them here. I do believe the fact that 2,000 of you stop in once a day to see if I've written anything helped to convince them I could produce snappy copy for the magazine. Thank you.

My final duty last night was to photograph the fiftieth reunion alumni being robed and capped for commencement. It was a sweet way to end things. They were all wonderful people, in high spirits, genuinely happy to be back and to see each other. When they lined up to join the procession into the stadium, I handed off to another photographer who was assigned to shoot the ceremony, then said goodbye to my colleagues–who were suddenly my former colleagues.

And as I walked away, alone, the university band began to play "Pomp and Circumstance."

I am really pleased for you. I'm sure that you wil be appreciated much more in your new job, and you will be able to use a wier range of your talents. Best of all, you won't have to deal with arsehole alumni and parents who treat you like the hired help.

Best wishes and congrats on the new job! As for the thanks for stopping in--Franklin, if you didn't write such good stuff that it is absolutely **compelling**, we won't be checking in. Take a moment and thank yourself for the effort you've put in. Blogging for good writers must be like practice for the musicians. Really glad you got the gig.

Hallefuckinglujah! You totally deserve this. May you have great success, enjoyment, and proper recognition in your new job.

Virtual champagne. Buckets of it. Better yet, a decadent Roman bath full of it, and - let's make it six, just for symmetry or something - gorgeous young things to celebrate with. Or gorgeous older guys. Or a combo. All of them knitters. Whatever, celebrate!

congratulations! You found the perfect job! Thousands of us have loved your writing all along. Nowyou can put this up on your desk in a crocheted frame. It's a quote by Moliere: Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, then you do it for the money. :)

New Jersey Laura (and Moliere) you're one of my new heroes. I'm going to have that quote tattooed on my....oh, wait...no, I'll just write it down. Franklin, HUZZAH! I loved working for University, but a *good* position as better than any other kind. Do they realize how lucky they are to get you?? Have 'em ask ME, I'll set 'em straight.

I've heard many horror stories about people getting fired (or not hired in the first place) because of their blogs. It's nice to hear a tale of someone getting HIRED in part because of one. Very good to hear.

Of course, this just means you had the good sense and talent to write kind, funny things. So congratulations again. Though I bet they think Dolores is fictional, so you better have a care with that whole situation.

I worked for an insurance company on 9/11. In Charlotte, NC. We are the second largest banking city in the country after NYC. They evac'd parts of downtown (mainly the big bank towers) but we worked. All day. Yeah. I don't think a lot of employers cared what happened - as long as they weren't affected by it.

Congrats on the new job. And speaking for HR folks everywhere - we don't usually make those decisions. We just have the policies and such. I have had all sorts of crap go down that we have told employees they just have to take vacation for. Yeah. Sucks. And as usual we the HR people take the blame. Not that I think you are - just saying. We do our best :)

Congrats on the new job! I am going to Chicago first weekend in August, I hope to see you then, even for a few seconds from outside of the red carpet. Will you give me your autograph with a sharpie on my knitting needle size 7?

Franklin, I wanted to say congratulations on the new job! I am so glad to hear you have found a job that will be a much better fit for your talents and interests, where you can contribute to your own well-being as well as that of your employer. Again, my best wishes for happiness and success in your new career.

The new job sounds great, Franklin! I'm glad all your loyal fans could be of assistance. One other thing all 2000 of us would like to do -- toss that woman who kept calling you "Manuel" into the lake. Could you post her address?

Hurrah! Congratulations. Your career path is in completely the opposite direction to mine...for some odd reason, the words 'the database is down' are, actually, kinda like some sort of geeky challenge to me.

Oh how wonderful, Franklin! I have spent the last decade or so moving my professional life closer and closer to the heart of what I love to do, and though I am still not quite there, I can tell you that every leap in the right direction feels like it's removing one of those Bugs Bunny 10-ton weights from over my head.

I can also tell you that you are a rare and fine writer and photographer, and that they'll be delighted with your work.

Mazel tov and felicitations! I admire people who set a goal for themselves and then reach for it, no matter how big the stretch. It's part of why I love your blog - all the knitting challenges you tackle. Best of luck in the new position (but why didn't you give yourself a break between jobs? At least a few days?). Good luck.

Awww, congratulations! I'm so excited for you! Fabulous new job, adorable new niece, killer lace project about to be filed under "done." That's awesome, man. If I were my old Greek aunt I would spit on you three times to assure that the blessings and good luck keep coming. (Be glad I'm just a young Greek aunt!)

there's not necessarily happiness in moving up. i'm a big encourager of not beliving that lie. you should do what makes you happy, not what's most prestigeous- unless of course, being at the top is what makes you happy, or you really need extra cash to fund that yarn stash...

Congratulations on your new job that you so obviously deserve. Your many talents have been clear to us for so long.

May I add, belatedly, how much I enjoyed "Secret Life - Advice from a Poncho" on the Cast On podcast. It rang so true as I recalled the women who taught me to knit, crochet, embroider and sew. Just beautiful.

Frank, I am so happy for you and relieved to know that a huge burden is off of your shouders.Congratulation! A little bit of heaven for you tonight:

"When you are inspired by some great purpose,some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds;Your mind transcends limitations,your consciousness expands in every direction,and you find yourself in new, great and wonderful world.Dormant forces,facultes and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

What a perfect scenario for you! Having worked with you and sharing an office from the very beginning, I want to tell you how proud I am of you and how excited I am about your new opportunity. Your talents, humor, compassion and encouragement have enriched me (and daughter Violet) in many ways and I will always be grateful for that. I will always treasure the memory of that afternoon when each of us was working at our computers and quietly singing to Kirsty MacColl (In These Shoes?) from your iTunes and laughing in surprise that we both got into it so much! I am playing it now in tribute -- feel free to sing along -- es un escandalo!

Good luck Franklin and I'm glad you were able to do what you needed to do when you needed to do it. both then and now. enjoying moving divisions. i know in my uni things are so fragmented they often fedex packages to each other because it's faster than interoffice mail. enjoy the new gig.. i do (sometimes) wish i could not care about the db (or mail server) being down.

Indeed, your way with words is as unusual (and heart-healing) as you are. I still wish I could have been an observer on the bus with those three who assumed you learned to knit in prison. So far as I can tell you have integrity that is rock solid, a sharp mind, and a style that always has (at least) one more surprise.Congratulations on your new position (a word I use advisedly). I hope you join the famous blogging, knitting, published folks like the Harlot and Crazy Aunt Purl. All the best.

I am now truly astounded at the small size of the world. Amazing enough to find that a the author of the hilarious, thought-provoking blog I stumbled upon some time ago hails from my very own Chicago, but you're even employed by the slightly frustrating institution at which I begin my summer job on Monday. Congratulations on escaping from your previous department--I've heard some fairly impassioned rants about it and the groups they cater to--and on being recognized for what you enjoy doing and are so good at. (By the way, I interned with the IT department last summer as a web/print design monkey. If you've seen the Single Sign-On page in all its purple and orange glory, you've seen the small mark my CSS has made on the world.)

Yay you!! So wonderful to hear that you're escaping the drudgery! And also wonderful to hear that while it may not provide more money, it sounds like it will provide more of all the other stuff one hopes for in a job. Congrats!!

Congratulations on your new job. Sometimes the joy of a lateral job change is that it is a few steps further from the fire. I enjoy your writing so much, and I am always pleased when you have a new entry. Thanks for all the laughs. Best wishes and be well!

Felicitations on the new gig, Franklin! Keeping your benefits seniority and not having to roll over the 401k are real plusses. Being at a place where you will be treated with the respect you deserve will be a wonderful and overdue change for you. Long tenure and happiness!

Just the other day I was explaining the Yarn Harlot to a non-knitter. How she started, the success she's had, etc, as an example of someone who used a hobby, the Internet, and considerable skill to change her life.

Good luck in your new job! I hope it brings you peace and joy! (and Appreciation!). Meanwhile, all of us who read you daily - and get great pleasure here - hope you will still have time to share yourself with us. We feel like we know you .....

If, by dropping in daily to get a dose of Franklin (in a good way), has in any small way helped you to a happier place, then, you're welcome.But raslly, I should be thanking you fr providing a chuckle if not an outright laugh each time I read.

Congratulations on your move, um, over. I hope you find it a better fit.

Just listened to your piece on Cast-On and wanted to let you know how wonderful it was. I got misty at the end. Thank you for writing that. I can only hope that my kids and their kids (in the far future, please!) will find traces of me in the knitted items I have made for them over their lifetimes.

Re: And you helped. When they asked about my writing abilities, I pointed them here. I do believe the fact that 2,000 of you stop in once a day to see if I've written anything helped to convince them I could produce snappy copy for the magazine. Thank you

Congratulations on your new job. I hope your first day was spectacular. Working at a University can be very trying - things don't seem to work there the same as in the 'real' world. And the politics...

Congratulations, Franklin. I, too, will soon (if 6 months is soon) be leaving my job. Some similar issues--I am doing a job normally done by several departments. It simply wore me down. I hope the new position makes you happier and more fulfilled.

Not only did you laugh all the way home, but I suspect you were skipping down Irving Park! Very good news and a great way to start summer. I'm also thrilled and not at all surprised at how wee Abigail has you wrapped around her little finger. She's gorgeous and the best dressed kid in the northeast.

Yippeee! I'm a long time fan who couldn't resist de-lurking to congratulate you on the NEW JOB!! I can't think of anyone who deserves success and happiness more than you. I am awed and inspired not just by your knitting, but also your writing and photography.

Thanks not only for being you, but for sharing yourself with us. Congratulations Franklin!

I work at a University, also. Like anywhere else, it can be awful or it can be great depending on whom you work for. Your writing is wonderful and thoughtful and fun, alternately and at the same time. Glad you got the job. And we'll keep reading.

One thing I've learned personally is that there is really nothing sweeter than leaving a job you hate. (Except maybe mooning the ex-boss on the way out, but I never have the nerve for that.) Congrats and I hope the new job is wonderful!

Congratulations, Franklin! You deserve to be doing work you enjoy for people who appreciate what you have to offer.

Now, it occurred to me that the people who looked at your blog and agreed that you have writing talent just might also have a sense of humor. Maybe. You'll find out soon enough. But that would be an excellent bonus, I think.

And I hope there was a celebratory brewski when you got there. Congrats on such a nice wind-up to the old. Not always so easy to achieve. Good luck with the new job - I hope there was champagne and a feeling of opening horizens after Monday's start.

Congratulations to you! I haven't stopped by in a bit (lack of time) and am wondering now why the hell I didn't make time. Congrats to you on the new job! Can't wait to get caught up on all I've missed.

Hey, that's excellent news! I've been deep in the Baby Fog and have just now come out of hiding to catch up on all the good blogs... I'm sorry I missed the good news of the new job for so long! But congratulations to you, and I'm sure, if said new job involves writing, that you will make them all swoon. Hope you're still as pleased with the post as the day you took it.

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